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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti warns 'Maradona scream will reach Anfield' in bizarre Liverpool message

Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti has warned Liverpool to expect the "scream" of the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona - as he expressed pride at sharing a touchline with Jurgen Klopp.

A full house of around 55,000 is expected when the Reds open their Champions League campaign with their Group A clash on Wednesday.

It's the third time in five years the teams have met at this stage of the competition, with Napoli having returned following a two-year absence. And Napoli boss Spalletti is in no doubt as to the importance of the occasion to himself, his players and the supporters.

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"I am very excited to be able to lead Napoli in the Champions League," he said, speaking to the media on Tuesday. "This is like a football funfair, the players are motivated, everyone's eyes sparkle and this is a prize to the great championship played last year.

"This is the competition that footballers dream of playing since they were children. But it is also a competition of the highest technical level where each ball can become the decisive ball that resolves the match.

"We know the strength that Maradona can give us. I am sure that tomorrow the Champions scream of our stadium will reach Anfield. The enthusiasm must prevail over the tension and our fans know how to give us a lot of life."

Napoli have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season to stand second in Serie A, in contrast to Liverpool's spluttering domestic form. Spalletti, though, knows his team face a difficult task against a Reds side who in May reached the final for the third time in five seasons.

"Liverpool play with constant changes of field and fanning from right to left, it's a different football than what we are used to in Italy," he said. "They use deep throws and they don't make you breathe with continuous pressing and these balls over the line.

"Obviously, apart from the tactical phase, they also have great individualities and constantly exploit the one-on-one. It will take big lungs and a lot of head to not to be deprived of oxygen and to be able to propose our game.

"We will have to be able to accept that in some moments they could be superior to us, but without ever giving up our possibilities to impose ourselves. Being beautiful is not essential, we must be effective and concrete. We don't go out on the pitch to get compliments but to be up to it.

"But we also have champions in the team, I am convinced that tomorrow evening my men will play a great match. I repeat that this group will be able to make Maradona fall in love again this season."

Napoli, who are without midfielders Karim Zedadka and Diego Demme, are hopeful Victor Osimhen is available after the forward resumed individual training following a groin problem, while Hirving Lozano should have overcome a head injury that forced him off during the 2-1 win at Lazio on Saturday.

And Spalletti added: "I am honoured to sit next to Klopp's bench. He is a unique character and a coach who has a philosophy that distinguishes him worldwide. I will try to read the indications he will give to the team carefully. He is a coach from whom there is always something to learn."

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